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Hepatitis C -
3 out of 4 People with Chronic Hepatitis C Don't Know They're Infected1

Hepatitis C begins as an acute infection, a short-term illness that occurs within six months after someone is infected. The likelihood that HCV infection becomes chronic is approximately 75-85% of cases.2 As a silent disease, HCV can remain asymptomatic in patients for decades, contributing to low diagnosis rates. If left undiagnosed and untreated, chronic HCV infection can lead to serious consequences.

As part of the campaign, OraSure is happy to launch new resources to help you develop and run successful HCV testing programs. We have created a Testing Toolkit that includes materials to help you plan, promote and execute your rapid HCV testing programs.

We urge you to join in our initiative to help more people in the U.S. get tested for HCV. Working together, we encourage those at risk for HCV to get tested, seek treatment and fight HCV.

HCV:
A Silent Disease for Millions.
A Growing Need for Diagnosis.

An estimated 5.2 million people have been infected with or have hepatitis C3 while 3.2 million people in the United States are living with chronic hepatitis C infection2 making it the most common infection of the blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately 75% (2.4 million) people do not show signs or symptoms they are ill or know they are infected. There are approximately 17,000 new hepatitis C cases each year in the U.S., many of which go unreported.

 

How did the Testing Guidelines change in response to HCV? 
 
 
1998
CDC recommends routine HCV testing for people who have ever injected illegal drugs, even once, as well as people with certain medical conditions, prior recipients of transfusions or organ transplants, and for persons with recognized exposures to HCV
2012
CDC recommends one-time testing of people born between 1945 and 1965 (the baby boomers)
2013
USPSTF issues a Grade B recommendation for screening those at high risk for HCV infection and offering a one-time screening for adults born between 1945 and 1965
  • Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), preventive services that have received a "Grade B" from the USPSTF are covered by insurance policies without cost-sharing
2014
AASLD and IDSA recommend one-time HCV testing in:
  • All persons born between 1945 and 1965 (Class 1, Level B)
  • All persons with behaviors, exposures, and conditions associated with an increased risk of HCV infection (Class 1, Level B)
March 2014
CMS issues new guidelines covering HCV screening for individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare Part A or enrolled under Medicare Part B. CMS will cover screening tests for:
  • Adults at high risk for infection
  • Adults born between 1945 and 1965
 
 
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